Donald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on 12/23/1930 to Martin and Laura Olsen. Donald and his siblings, Lois Ecklund and Jim Olsen grew up on Arlington Street in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Don started working at Sperry Univac in St. Paul, Minnesota when computers were six feet high and produced ticker-tape. He joined Univac as a technician in 1955 and became an engineering group supervisor in 1958. He was transferred to Salt Lake City in the late 1960’s and continued his work history with Univac (now known as Unisys). He was always amazed at how far we had come when computers entered the home and office.
Don served in active duty in the United States Air Force stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Gulfport Mississippi. He married his wife Donna Mae Olsen before his transfer to Gulfport on December 29th, 1951. Donna always remembered them carrying an ironing board on top of their car as they started their journey to Mississippi.
Don and Donna celebrated 62 years of marriage with the entire family. His daughters, Diane, Darlene, Patty and Jody along with their extended families were in attendance. They both enjoyed traveling, playing golf and visiting with friends.
Don was an avid fisherman and loved hunting. He and his brother Jim and father, Martin (also known as Money) hunted alongside lots of friends and cousins in Northern Minnesota. Don also spent a lot of time in Southern Utah with his friends chasing the elusive elk and deer herds.
Grandpa (Don) loved to spend time with his grandchildren fishing, playing ball in the backyard, building snow forts and sledding. He was such a sweetheart and the best dad and grandpa ever!
His quick wit, and sense of humor are remembered by so many. He always had a smile on his face and had a patient and calm presence about him. Another favorite place Don and Donna loved was Hawaii. They spent many a vacation there and loved the climate and whale watching.
He is survived by his daughters, Diane Davis of Steamboat Springs, CO; Darlene Eitapence of Highland, CA and her spouse Ron; Patricia Nelson and her spouse Doug of Palm Springs, CA; Jody Boutz and her spouse Brien of Spokane, WA;
His grandchildren are Wayne, Maryn, Matt, Shaun, Nicholas, Scott, Andrea, Erick and Aaron. Great Grandchildren are Chance, Zoe and Jonas. Don is preceded in death by his parents Martin and Laura Olsen and his beloved wife, Donna Mae. He is survived by his sister & brother in law, Lois and Norm Ecklund; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Linda Olsen.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated May 15, 2021 - 12:00PM at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, SLC UT. 84117.
Veteran Ceremony and Committal will follow at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 S. Highland Drive Millcreek Utah at 2:00PM.
